NICU Update + 1 Week Postpartum

Good evening everyone. I can’t believe it is just over a week since I gave birth to the girls. It feels like forever ago they were in my belly. I still look at them and wonder how two babies were inside of me. It is a strange feeling, but an amazing feeling. It is crazy to think I will never be pregnant again. It is bittersweet.

Today, good things have happened.

McKenzie has been moved to an open crib; she is out of the incubator. YAY! She also took 7 out of 8 of her feedings in the last 24 hours from breast or bottle. These are all wonderful signs of coming home sooner than later.

McKayla’s heat is almost as low as it can go; hopefully she will follow her sister into an open crib soon. She has taken 5 out 8 of her feedings from breast or bottle.

Wow, our girls are really progressing. I feel like they have made the most improvement in the last 24 hours.

How I Have Been Feeling Physically

It has been just over a week and I have been feeling pretty good, except for today. I woke up this morning knowing I was getting mastitis (clogged milk ducts). I feel awful. For those of you that have never had mastitis it gives you flu like symptoms, such as; the chills, a fever, dizziness, heavy head, pure misery. I called my doctor first thing and she called me in a prescription; hopefully it kicks in quickly. I don’t have time to feel like this.

As for recovering from childbirth, there hasn’t been any time. All-in-all I feel pretty good. I have had minor cramping here and there, but nothing major. For delivering twins I feel great. I couldn’t have asked for an easier labor and recovery.

My Emotions

I have seriously been all over the place as far as feelings go. I am so happy that our girls are healthy and here. We didn’t know what was going to happen back in March when we were diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). We were so blessed to make it to 33 weeks and 6 days (almost 34; my goal). We have also been blessed with the fact that our girls have only needed to learn to eat and regulate body temperature. Our prayers were answered.

However, I have been crying all the time. It is so difficult to leave our girls (big girls and babies) every day. Since I have been a mom I have never been gone from my girls for so much time day in and day out. I also wish I could be with our babies each and every moment. I am so excited for them to come home. Hopefully, sooner than later.

When I got pregnant I knew I wanted to keep track of how I do after twins. Not necessarily the number on the scale, but how I feel after giving birth to babies #3 and 4. When I first found out I was pregnant with twins I started doing a ton of research on correct amount of weight to gain, physical activity, stretch marks, “twin skin”, etc. Even though this was pregnancy number 3 for me I had to idea what to expect with twins and I wanted to do it right.

Here are some pregnancy stats:

Total weight gain: 28-30 pounds (depending on the scale)

I gained most of my weight in the first two trimesters because one of my twin pregnancy books said that is the best thing for the babies. I don’t think I gained anything in the third trimester.

On May 20th – 27 weeks 4 days – Total weight gain: 29.5 pounds

I actually lost weight right after this because McKenzie’s fluid drop drastically.

I am going to put these statistics in a beautiful chart, but I wanted to get this post to you ASAP!!

About Renee

My name is Renee and I am a 30 year old wife and mother to four little girls. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Fit for Motherhood is my journey through motherhood, pregnancy and life in general all while trying my best to be fit and healthy.

17 Responses to NICU Update + 1 Week Postpartum

I know some people don’t like the idea of doing post partum body updates but as a FTM I appreciate you doing it! For me it calms a lot of my worries because like you I am keeping active and paying attention to water intake, steady weight gain, keeping my skin moisturized etc. It’s a relief to know that it IS possible to bounce back nicely.

And may I add – you look fantastic! Seriously, you had TWINS and it hardly looks like you had anyone in there at all! So happy for you and your girls and their amazing progress.

I feel the exact same way about postpartum body updates and that is why I have chosen to do them. When I got pregnant with twins I was so worried for a number of reasons, but yes one of them was because I had to idea what I was going to look like after. Of course, as my pregnancy went on my body was the farthest thing for my mind, but at first that was there. It was nice being able to go to a blog and see how different women would achieve their after twin baby bodies.

Thank you. I think I have simply been so busy all the baby weight is just melting away. 🙂

You look fantastic! And it looks like you avoided twin skin! How do you think you did it? I’m 25 weeks pregnant with twins and also researching how to avoid twin skin along with everything else you mentioned. Good luck with your twins ini the NICU and your girls at home. As someone a little behind you, I appreciate reading your experiences. Thank you!

Thank you. I will write a post this week about what I think helped my bounce back easily after having twins. I was so afraid of twin skin too, I thought for sure everyone got it and then I started researching and found out that wasn’t true so I know I didn’t have to just give up. One thing I know for sure, is slow and steady weight gain. With twins you need to gain extra weight, but you always want to make sure it is not done too quickly. Also I maintain a healthy lifestyle. I will go into more detail in my post.

You are my motivation!!! That’s amazing progress for you and for your girls as well!! I can’t imagine how hard it must be, but please know that you’re doing great and I know you’ll all be under one roof soon 🙂

You look absolutely FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing. I am due with twins this fall and you are my inspiration. I really cant thank you enough for sharing all of this. I dont know anyone else who has had a baby and this is my first so your blog has become a huge resource for me! wishing you and your family all the best. xoxo

Thank you. I am so happy I have been about to help and support you throughout your pregnancy. When starting this blog that was my goal; to help others going to through similar situations. 🙂 Please keep me updated with how your pregnancy is going and I want to know when your sweet babies arrive!!

WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! It is so exciting to be able to follow you as, mom and dad, Sophia and Isabella, Lynne and Francis on this JOURNEY OF A MIRACLE. You have been in my prayers and thoughts so often this summer, but not until I got back home for a few days that I learned about McKayla and McKenzie….love the names…. Sister Karen gave me your website so I could get the latest updates…..What a GIFT….the time of being with Sophia and Isabella and then with McKayla and McKenzie will all balance out when you have your family together in your own home. Thanks for keeping us updated ……and know that you are loved and remembered in prayer…..Love and Blessings….Sister Helen,csj

Thank you!! It has truly been quite the adventure. They really are miracles and we are so blessed to have them. We are loving every minutes the girls. I can’t wait to be with all of our girls together.

You look absolutely stunning Renee!! The girls are beyond adorable, just the pictures alone melt my heart, I can’t even imagine how adorable they are in person 🙂 I’m 22 1/2 weeks pregnant with my boys and have to say you’re truly an inspiration. I still exericse, eat rather healthy and drink around a gallon of water a day…with that being said, everytime I go to the washroom I use cocoa butter on my belly and hips…I figured why not make it a habit/routine and try my best to moisture my skin as much as possible. I just found your website today and am very happy I did! You’ve officially been added to my favourites bar 🙂

Congratulations on your little ones. Oh thank you. 🙂 They are so sweet and continue to grow each and every day. Looking at their tiny pictures brings back so many tears, I can’t believe how far they have come.

You seriously have made my day, I am so glad you like all my posts. I am glad I have been an inspiration; being pregnant with twins is something special and completely different then I have ever experienced. You sound like you are doing an amazing job taking care of yourself and your little boys. You are truly in for a wonderful adventure. Please keep me updated!!

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My name is Renee and I am a 30 year old wife and mother to four little girls; a 6 year old, 4 year old, and 2 year old identical twin girls. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Fit for Motherhood is my journey through motherhood, pregnancy, and life in general; all while trying to be fit and healthy, most of the time. I love new recipes, trying different types of exercise, and enjoying life.